Charging apparatus for gas generators



Aug. 24 Y, 192s. 1,597,314

A. C. HOWARD ET AL CHARGING APPARATUS FOR GAS GENERATORS original Filed oor. 24. 192s` 4 sheets-sheen Aug. 24 1926. 1,597,314

A. C. HOWARD ET AL GHARGING APPARATUS FOR GAS GENERATORS Original Filed Oct. 24, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 24 1926.

A. C. HOWARD ET AL CHARGING APPARATUS FOR GAS GENERATORS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed O01.. 24, 1923 SH01/new Aug. 24 19'26. l q

A. c, HOWARD ET AL CHARGING APPARATUS FOR GAS GENERAPORS Original Filed Oct. 24, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 vices which admit a predetermined around the periphery of the` bed and the Patented Aug. p24, 1926.

UNITED'STATES PATENT ori-fica.

ABRAM C. HOWARD, 0F SOUTH ORANGE, `NEW JERSEY, AAND THOMAS W. STONE, 0F

FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNORS TO THE WESTERN GAS CONSTRUCTION COM- PANY, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

CHARGING APPARATUS FOR GAS GENERATORS.

Application led October` 24, 1923, Serial No.` 670,615. Renewed May 7,1826.

The invention relates to gas generators] and it has particular relation to charging dequantity of fuel to a generator.

In devices heretofore employed forcharging gas generators there have been 'several disadvantages present which limpaired the efciency of the apparatus.

First,in charging the generator the charging door is ordinarily removed about once every fifty minutes and sufficient fuelis admitted -for seven or eight runs or for about iifty minutes. A very large quantity of fuel must betherefore introduced at each charging'periodfv'vitli the result that the fire in -the generator is very low just prior. to generating and is very high and cold `just subsequent tov charging. This causes great variation in the condition of the fuel bed in the generator and also the loss of from five to seven minutes time each hour, during which time the generator is charged with fuel. t

Second,l in charging devices heretofore employed, there was a tendency for the fuel admitted into the generator to pile up near the center with the result that the smaller -lumps packed into a central core while the larger pieces gravitated to a point adjacent tothe side walls. Inasmuch as the larger pieces, which laid against or near the straight wall of the generator, did notl pack as closely as they did near the central portion of the fuel bedwhere they were intermingled with the liner particles of fuel, the draft resistance through the fuel was less y combustion was consequently more intense in that Zone than it was at the' center of the fuel bed. In fact, it was not uncommon for dead spots to develo in thecentra'l portion of the bed through inadequate draft at this point. The result4 was that much care was necessary in order to maintain yuniT form combustion throughout the entire area of the fire bed. i

One of the'objects ofthe invention 4is to provide a'device-ofthe character described by means of which a generator may be charged with fuel at any time during the operationthereof without the necessity of' temporarily discontinuing such o eration and which will effectively seal the c arging opening vof the generator to prevent the escape of gas or fumes during the charging period and to maintain the interval operating pressure of the generator during such period. e Another object of the invention is to provide a device of `the character designated that will automatically effect an economical and ellicient distribution of fuel Within the generator such as will result in a fire bed of substantially uniform height and combustion. and of a constant temperature with-r out the necessity of frequent adjustments to the supply of 'steam and air.

A .further object -ofthe invention is to provide a device of the class designated in which practically all of the principalv elements are mounted upon a truck for the purpose of facilitating the transportation of the charging apparatus as' an entirety from one generator to another and whic mayl be mounted in a gas tight position over a c arging openingof a generator with the outlet valve of the device constituting the door of such opening. With such objects in view, as well as other advantages, which may be incident to the use of the improvements, the invention consists in the fparts and 'combinations thereof,

hereinafter. set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several elements' constituting the same may be varied in proportion and arrangement without departing" v fromv the nature and scope of the invention' as hereinafter claimed.

In order to make the invention more clear- Vly understood, there are shown, in the accompanying drawings, means for carrying l the 'same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements, in their useful applicationsto the particular constructions which, `for the pur 4ose of explanation, have been made the su ject of illustration.

In said drawin s:

Fig. '1 is'a si e elevation of a charging device, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 `is a front elevation of the structure illustrated inv Fig. 1f,

Fig. 3 is a lcentral vertical sectional view through the charging device and illustrating more in. detail the valve element thereof.

Fig. v4 is a plan View of the cover of the chute which delivers thefuel to the charging device, and which carries the inlet valve element.

Fig. 5 is a central vertical sectional view through the hopper on line 5--5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail side view of one ofthe secondary valves or retarding members.

Referring tothe drawings, a charging apparatus, constructed in accordance with the invention, is shown as including asubstantially cylindrical hopper 1 which is carried by a frame 2. The frame 2 constitutes the bottom portion of the hopper'l and is provided with an opening' 3 in alignment with the axis of the hopper which is normally closedby means of a valve member 4. The lower face of the frame 2 is provided with a packing member or gasket 5 which surrounds the opening 3 and is adapted to engage an annular frame 6 of a charging door v7 of a gas generator. The frame 6 carries ar depending cylindrical neck portion 8 which extends downwardly into the generator and cooperates with the valve member 4 in charging the generator, as will be herein- -after more fully explained. The frame 2 of the charging apparatus is provided with bearings 9 adjacent to each end thereof, in

' which axles'10 are rotatably mounted. The

extremities 11 of each of the axlesv 10 are eccentric with respect to the major portion thereof and carry flanged wheels 12 for engagement with rails 13 of a track that is mounted upon the super-structure of the generator.

By means of this construction, the charging apparatus may be easily transported as an entirety from one generator to another. and accuratelypositioned over a charging door 7. The axles 10 may then be rotated by any suitable mechanism, not shown, to

` lower the frame 2 and the charging apparatrack, as shown in the drawings.

tus carried thereby, until the gasket '5 tightly engages the frame 6 of the charging door 7. .If the axles 10 are rotated one half revolution, the entire weight of the charging apparatus will be transferred to and supported by the frame 6, with the wheels 12 raised from engagement with the rails 13 of the The charging apparatus may then be clamped in position over the charging door by means of bolts 14, of substantially Leshape, which are carried by theframe 2 and which are adapted to engage sockets or bosses '15 formed integrally with the frame 6. Vthen the charging apparatus is thus secured in position over a charging door, it will be practically impossible for any gas or fumes to escape therebetweenduring the operation of the generator.-

The valve member 4 is carried by aA spider 16, the respective arms of which are provided with flanges or ribs 17 and which is Secured to the lower end of a vertically eX- tending shaft 18. The shaft 18 is mounted for rotary and vertical sliding movement in a sleeve 19, which is carried by the cover 20 of the hopper 1 and which extends downwardly into the hopper to apointvadjacent to the bottom thereof.

The upper portion of the shaft 18 is threaded and is removably secured by means of a nut 19EL to a block 20a mounted for v'ertical reciprocation between a pair of channel bars or frame members 21. The latter are suitably spaced and secu-red together at their upper ends by means of a plate or trically with the shaft 18 and is removably secured between said clip and an upper clamping plate 24 by means of tie bolts 2.5. The plate 22 is provided with a central aperture through which the piston rod 29 of the hydraulic cylinder is adapted to reciprocate and the lower threaded portion of the piston rod is adjustably secured by the nuts 26 to the upper portion of the block, 20. Vertical reciprocation of the block between the frame members 21 is facilitated by means of opposed pairs of wheels 27 having a rolling contact with' the inner faces of the channel bars 21. A pipe 28 is pro vided to supply iluid'pressure to the cylinder 31 from any desired source (not shown).

It will be apparent from the foregoing that when it is desired to charge the generator with fuel, fluid under pressure is admitted to the cylinder 31 of the hydraulic jack 30. The piston rod 29 thereof will force the block 2O and the shaft 18 downwardly to lower the valve member 4 to open position, and the valve will be maintained in open position as long as pressure is maintained within r the jackl 30.A On the other hand, when it is desired to clo'se the valve 4, after a suiicient charge of fuel has been introduced into the generator, the pressure in the jack 30 is reversed thereby causing the valve 4 to be elevated to its former closed posit-ion. A l

The hopper 1 receives its charge of fuel, such as coal or coke, through an inclined cylindrical chute 32 which is carried by the sideof the hopper 1. A cover 33 is secured to the upper portion of the chute 32 and is l IU providedv with inlet opening 34, through which fuel is introduced into the Vchute 33 and the hopper 1 from a source of supply, not shown. lThe'opening 34 inthe cover 33 is normally closed by means of a valve member 35 which is carried by-an arm 36 fixedvto' a rock shaft'37. The rock "shaft 37 extends -through the sidesof cover 33 and yis mounted 'in bearings 38 carried thereby. The shaft 37 4is rocked for` the purpose of open ing or closing the valve member 35 by means of a hydraulic, jack 39 )which is suitably se.- cured to the side of the chute 32. The pis; ton `rod 40 of the jack 39 carries a `rack ele; ment 41 which engages a segmental rack member 4Q-which is fixed to one extremity of the rock shaft 37.

`When the charging device is to be'employed, thevalve 35 is first opened by means of the jack 39, thevalve4 in the bottom portion ofthe vhopper l being'ina closed posi` tion, and the desiredquantity of fuel is 'introduced into 'the chute 32. The valve 35 means of the jack and the predetermined quantity of fuel is permittedA to gravitate into -the generator through th'door 7 by means to be described. f

In order however that the f uel thus fed into the generator shall be properly distributed and arranged `therein to effect the most eiiicient and satlsfactory combustion the following described mechanism is provided.

A friction clutch Ymember 43 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 18 and is supported upon the coverV 20of'the hopper 1.l The clutch 43 is maintained against any vertical displacement that might be' occasioned through the vertical reciprocation of the` shaft 18 by means of `a flanged member or keeper 44 which is secured to the` cover 20 of the hopper 1 and which projects into a peripheral groovev45 provided in the member 43. The clutch member 43 is further provided with a concentric'gear Iwheel v46 which is fixed. thereto and which is driven by means of mechanism hereinafter to be described. Y

A co-acting clutch member 47 is splined to the shaft 18 adjacent to the upperportionthereof by means of a key 46 which engages' a slot 47 that is provided in the s haft 18. This clutch member is normally maintained out of co-operative engagement with the clutch member 43 as long as the shaft 118 and the valve member 4 are `in raisedposi-v i tions to close the bottom of the hopper. The

clutch member 47 is mounted on the shaft 18 at a sufficient distance from the clutch. 43 so that when theshaft 18 is caused to descend to open the valve 4, the latter will have time to pass entirely through the neck 8 before the clutch member 47 engages the member 43.

A table 48 is secured to the top 2O of the hopper 2l and carries-an upwardly and horif zontally extending lbracket member 49, the

overhanging end of which is provided with a bearing 50. A vertically extending shaft 51 is journaled adjacent to its upper end in the bearing 50 and at its lower end in a stepped bearing 52, which is carried by the table 48... A`l pinion 53 is keyed to the shaft 51 andmesh'es with the gear 46 ofthe lower clutch member 43. A friction disk 54 is also keyed to the shaft 51 and is driven by means of a `friction pulley 55 which is splined to a horizontally extending shaft 56.

4The speed of the friction disk 54 and its,

` is also mounted on the .table '48, by means of .a'coupling member 60. Y is then closed and the valve 4 is.opened by shaft.` 18 is caused to descend through the medium of the hydraulic jack mechanism previously described, to deliver such charge to the generator, and as soon as the valve I member-4 passes the lower edge of the neck 7, during its descent, therupper clutch member V 47 engages the rotating lower clutch member 43 and causes the rotary movement thereof 'to be transmitted to the shaft 18 and theA valve member 4. The shaft 18 will, however, continue to descend together with .the rotating valve 4 until its vertical movement is arrested by the upper end of the slot 47 engaging the `key 46 of the clutch member 47.` It will be noted that the distance that the valve 4 may descend into the generator beyond the lower edge of the neck portion 8 of the doorl 7 is limited by the length of the slot 47.

This rotary movement of the valve 4 causes the fuel supported thereby to be discharged radially into' the generator by centrifugal force with the result that the small lumps and the-finer particles of' fuel concentrate adjacent to the walls of the generator, while the large lumps will be accumulated at a more central location there' in. The ribs 17 carried by the spider '16 facilitate this centrifugal discharge of the fuel into the generator and insure that the fine particles as well as the large lumps of fuel will be subjected tosuch discharge.

fuel is contained in the hopper 1 and the lli) l' During the operation of the apparatus it is desirable that the body of fuel admitted to the chute 32 be retained therein and out of Contact with the upper surface of the valve 4 -until the latter has been lowered and rotated up to full speed by the operation of the clutch and hydraulic mechanism above described. To obtain this result a secondary valve or fuel retarding mechanism is provided within the hopper l at tbepoint of communication with the chute 32. A transverse rock shaft 61 is journaled in bearings 62 supported bythe wall of the hopper. A pair of curved valve members vor retarding plates 63 are secured to the rock .shaft and arranged so that when in normal closed position the plates 63 retain the charge of fuel within the chute and out. of contact with the valve 4. A baille plate 64 is mounted within the hopper and is adapted to intercept the fuel admitted to the chute and direct it equally against the plates 63 of the secondary valves. One end of the rock shaft 6l is prolonged without the hopper wall and has keyed thereto' the hub portion lof an arm member 65. A trunnion or stud shaft 66 is suitably bolted or Secured to the outer side of one of the channelframe members 2l and centrally pivoted on the trunnion is a substantially T-shaped rocking member 67. The downwardly extending arm GS of the T-shaped member has pivotally mounted thereon a sleeve member 69, having a sliding engagement with the upper cylindrical portion of' the arm 65.A A vertically reciprocating rod 70 is pivotally secured at its lower end to 'a second arm 71 of the T-shaped member and at its upper end the rod is slidably 'supported within an ear portion 72 of ahorizontally extending strap or bar 73 secured at its inner end to the vertically reciprocabl-e block 201' Adjustable stops 74, 74 are provided at desired points on the rod 70, the upper of said stop members 74 being preferably located immediately above and resting on the ear 72 of the str-ap 73. An arm 75 of the T-shaped vmember is provided and 4is adapted to'support a counterweigbt which .may be provided if necessary to eff-actually maintain the retarding plates or secondary valve members 63 in closed position in contact with the fuel in the chute 32, and prevent access of the fuel to the valve member 4 until the latter has been lowered and imparted a high speed of rotation.

The operation of the secondary fuel-cony trolling valve mechanism described will be apparent. The valve 4 is lowered by the hydraulic cylinder 31 to establish communication between the hopper l and the generator chamber, the chargev of fuel being retained in the chute 32 by the retarding valve plates 63 which are in normal closed position as illustrated in the drawings. The

clutch members 43 and 47 are thus caused to engage until the valve 4 attains a high speed ofv rotation at a time preferably just prior' to the engagement of the downwardly moving strap 73 with the lower stopA 74 which has been adjusted to its proper position on -the rod 70. The continued downward movement of the piston rod then causes the rod to be moved downwardly rocking the T-sbaped memberon the trunnion 66. The sliding and pivotal engagement of the arm 68 with the arm 65 causes the latter to vswing inwardly to rotate th-e rock shaft 6l and open the retarding valve plates 63, thus permitting the fuel t-o enter the hopper and gravitate upon the valve 4 which at this time has acquired the necessary speed of rotation to receive the fuel and properly distribute it by centrifugal force within the fuel chamber of the generator. On the upward stroke of the piston rod 29 the valve plates 63 will gradually return to their normal closed position retaining the fuel in the chute 32 and the valves are prevented from being opened by pressure of the fuel by reason of the engagement of the strap 73 with the upper stop member 74. A balance weight may be employed if desired on the arm 7 5 to assist in returning the valves 63 to closed'position cutting olf the fuel from the hopper l on the upward stroke of the piston rod 29. Batlle plates 76 are preferably provided on the valves 63 to assist preventing communication between the generator and the upper portion of the chute when the valves are in open position during the charging operation.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that by means of the present invention the generator may be charged without opening the same to the atmosphere or to lower the internal pressure thereof. The operation of the `generator may be maintained continuously without loss of' time during the charging period. A charge may be admitted to the generator at any time during its operation and consequently such charge maybe introduced, if desired, at. a period of down run, when the dome of the generator is occupied by steam, with the result that only steam will be admitted to the hopper when the communicating valve 4 is open and no nuisance or difficulty is experienced at a later period when the valve 35 is opened. The generator may be charged more'frequently (once each run if desired) thereby maintainenv ing the fuel bed uniformly high and approxstant and nearer a maximum for a most efcient condition of the lire and a maximum gas-making rate may therefore'be obtalned `throughout an entire day. The distribution accomplished' by the centrifugal. action of the rotating charger will overcome the tendency for open spaces to occur adjacent to the side walls of the generator and will effect a 'more thorough draft through the center-of vthe fire bed, as the large' lumpsv and finer particles will be more uniformly distributed throughout the entire bed.' As a result, a

more uniform heat lcondition, will be ob-v i vices.

' tor, and a rotatable valve-element carried by What is claimed is:

1. A charging device for gas generators comprising a hopper adapted to be lpositioned over the charging opening of a gas generasaid hopper for closing said charging opening.

' 2. A charging device for gas generators comprising a movable hopper adapted to be secured in position over the charging opening of a generator, and a vertically sli'dable valve element carried by said hopper and constituting the door for said charging opening. v

comprising a movable hopper adapted to be secured in position over the charging open- .l ing of a generator, and a vertically movable an entirety and secured in position over the and rotatable valve element carried by said hopper and constituting the door for said charging opening.- Y

4.- A charging .device for gas generators comprising a hopper adapted to be moved as charging opening of a generator, an inlet .valve for admitting a charge of fuel to said hopper and a vertically slidable outlet valve carried by Vsaid hopper and constituting the door for said charging opening for delivering said fuel to said generator.

5. The combination with av gas generator having a charging opening surrounded by a frame, of a hopper adapted to be moved lat- 'erally into position over said charging opening, means for lowering said hopper into gas tight engagement with said frame, means for clamping said hopper in position, and a valve carried by said hopper and constituting the door forsaid cha-r ing opening.

6. The combination with a gas generator fhaving a char ing opening surrounded by a frame, of a c arging device comprising a wheeled truck adapted to be moved into positionover the charging Qpeningof a generator, means for lowering said truck into engagement with said frame, means for securing said truck thereto, a hopper carried by said truck, and a valve element disposed in `the bottom portion of said hopper and constituting the-door for said charging opening.v

7.' A charging device for gas generators comprising a hopper adapted to be positioned over the charging opening of .a generator, a valvedisposed 'in said hopper, means for opening said valve to deliver a charge-of fuel to said generator and means for rotating' said vfalve to cause said fuel to be discharged against the'side walls of the generator under centrifugal action.

8. The combination with a gas generator having a charging opening provided with a of fuel to said generator, means for rotating said valve to cause said' fuel to be discharged against the sidewalls of the generator under Ycentrifugal action and a plurality of radi- 4 i r i ally extending web members carried by said A charging device for gas generatorsvalve to augment such centrifugal discharge of the fuel. y

10A charging device for gasy generators comprising a hopper adapted to be positioned over the charging opening of a generator, an inlet valve for admitting a charge of fuel to said hopper, an outlet valve adapted to support the fuel in the hopper, means for lowering said outlet valve through the said charging opening and means for caus` ing the rotation of said valve during its descent to dischargesaid fuel into said generator under centrifugal action.

l1.A A charging device for gas generators comprising a hopper adapted to be positioned over the charging opening ofa generator, an inlet valve for admittingfuel to said hopper, an outlet valve for delivering said fuel to said generator, means for lowering said outlet valve through said charging opening, and-means for subsequently causllO tatably mounted on said shaft, means for 'rotating said clutch member, a second clutch member fixed to said shaft and disposed out of operative engagement with said loosely 4mounted clutch member when said shaft` is raised to close said charging opening and adapted to descend into engagement therewith when said shaft is lowered to open said valve to cause the rotation of said shaft and valve. I

13. A charging device for gas generators comprising a hopper adapted to be positioned 'over the charging opening of a generator, a valve disposed in said hopper, a pressure cylinder operatively connected with said valve to open and close the same -whereby fuel is periodically delivered to 'within said generator, said clutch mechanism cooperating with and adapted to be actuated by said pressure cylinder.

v 15. A charging device forl gas generators comprising in combination: a movable hopper adapted to be positioned over the charging opening of a generator, a chute communicating with said hopper'and adapted to be charged with fuel, a valve mounted in said hopper and constituting the door of said charging opening, means for actuating said valve -to open and close said charging' opening to deliver fuel from said hopper .to said generator, means for rotating said valve to distribute said Vfuel by centrifugal force'against the side walls of said generator, means for retarding the passage of said fuel from said chute to said hopper, and means for actuating said fuel retarding means.

16. A charging device for gas generators comprising in combination: a movable hopi per adapted to be positioned over the charging opening of a generator, a chute communicating with said hopper and adapted to be charged with fuel, a valve mounted in said hopper and constituting the door of said charging opening, means for actuating said valve to open and close said charging opening to deliver fuel from said hopper to' said generator, means for rotating said r valve to distribute said fuel by centrifugal force against the side walls of said generator, a secondary valve mounted in said hopper and adapted when in closed position to retard the passage of fuel from said chute to said hopper, and means actuatedby said valve actuating means for *I automatically ioperating said secondary valve to permit the passage of said fuel from said chute to said hopper.

17. A charging device for gas' generators comprising in combination: a hopper adapted to be positioned over the charging open- .ing of a generator, a chute communicating with 'said hopper and adapted to be charged with fuel, a rotatable valve mounted in said hopper, means for opening and closing said valve to deliver fuel from said hopper to said generator, means for rotating said valve, a pair of secondary valves mounted in said hopper and adapted to retard the passage of fuel from said chute to said hopper, a bailie plate mounted within said hopper and adapted to direct the fuel in said chute against each of said secondary valves, and means actuated by said rotatable valve opening mea-ns .for automatically operating said secondary valves to permit the passage of fuel from said chute to said hopper and said generator afterthe opening and during the rotation of said rotary valve.

4ABRAM o. HOWARD.' l

THOMAS w. STONE. 

